Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking: An Introduction to Human Trafficking U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“ Lack of public awareness facilitates human trafficking because it is still a largely hidden social problem. It is up to us as a society to look for victims and help them. ” Dr. Wade F. Horn, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“An Introduction to Human Trafficking” Presentation Overview Human Trafficking Defined Forms of Human Trafficking U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Response to Trafficking What You Can Do

Human Trafficking Defined

What Is Human Trafficking? Modern-day slavery Defined by force, fraud or coercion Occurs across the globe Fastest growing criminal industry

What Is Human Trafficking? The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 made human trafficking a Federal crime Key provisions for victims  Identified as victims, not criminals  Helps victims rebuild their lives in the U.S. with food, shelter, and medical assistance  Minors in commercial sex act are by law a victim

What Is Human Trafficking?

Myth:  Human trafficking is the same as human smuggling Myth:  Trafficking must involve some form of travel or transportation Myth:  Victims are only foreign nationals or immigrants Myth:  Victims will come forward on their own accord

Who Are the Victims? 600,000 – 800,000 trafficked internationally U.S. victims – 14,500 – 17,500 annually  Latin America  Southeast Asia  Africa  Former Soviet Union

Who Are the Victims?

Forms of Human Trafficking

Behind Closed Doors: Sex Trafficking Commercial sexual exploitation of adults by force, fraud, coercion Any commercial sex of children (persons under the age of 18)

Behind Closed Doors: Sex Trafficking Commonly observed forms of sex trafficking  Street prostitution  Exotic dancing bars  Latino Cantina bars  Asian massage parlors  Residential brothels  Escort services

Behind Closed Doors: Labor Trafficking Exploitation of adults or children for labor using force, fraud, coercion Commonly observed forms of labor trafficking  Domestic servitude  Restaurants  Industrial cleaning  Construction  Migrant farm work  Peddling/begging rings

Portrait of a Victim: The Clues Living at workplace or with employer Housed with multiple people, cramped living space Working long hours; little to no pay No identification, travel documents Children not in school Physical signs of abuse and/or psychological effects

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Role in Human Trafficking

HHS Response to Trafficking HHS role in TVPA  Identify, assist trafficking victims  Coordinate services with other Federal agencies Philosophy is victim-centered Network of grants, contracts and volunteers  Helps identify, provide support to victims

Per Capita Contract HHS victim support network through U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops  National network  Provides case management  Assists with benefit eligibility paperwork  Advocates on behalf of victims  Reimbursed per each victim found

Intermediary Contracts Maintains, manages Rescue & Restore coalitions on regional level Makes sub-awards to local groups raising awareness, assisting in victim identification Lead intermediary organizations –Practical Strategies, Milwaukee, WI –Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, LA County, Orange County, San Diego –Civil Society, Minnesota –Immigrants Rights Advocacy Center, Florida

Street Outreach Grants Outreach to those likely to encounter victims –Health practitioners, including HHS –Social service providers and child welfare advocates –Faith-based communities –Ethnic communities –Law enforcement Organizations in contact with vulnerable populations –Victim identification pipeline HHS, Polaris Project provide technical assistance, training

Public Awareness Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking  Informational web site and multiple resource materials  Coalitions  National partnerships  Media  Trainings

Rescue & Restore Resource Materials Educational materials in multiple languages  Posters  Brochures  Fact sheets  Assessment cards Web site - Training video Public service announcements

Rescue & Restore Resource Materials

Connecting Victims to Help The National Human Trafficking Resource Center –  24/7 access  Helps determine if you have encountered a trafficking victim  Connects victims to local service providers  Conducts referrals for inquiries about human trafficking information

What You Can Do

“Look Beneath the Surface” Connect victims to help Join Rescue & Restore Access Resource Materials Apply for USCCB Per Capita Contract

Additional Information HHS Web site The National Human Trafficking Resource Center – “Trafficking In Persons Report,” U.S. State Dept

Questions and Answers

Thank You U.S. Department of Health and Human Services